Boeing may be part of group building Mexico satellites

Boeing Co., Loral Space & Communications Inc. and Thales SA may seek to build two satellites for Mexico's space program, Communications and Transportation Minister Juan Molinar Horcasitas said.

"The design is already approved and now we are in the final phase to realize the bids for the acquisition," Molinar said at a hearing before members of the lower house of Congress. "It would involve surely these three companies."

Mexico is building its own satellite program for security operations, replacing the work performed by closely held Satelites Mexicanos SA, a money-losing former government agency that failed to find a buyer earlier this year.

Molinar said today he is seeking approval from Congress for 5.74 billion pesos ($458 million) next year for the design, construction and launch of the satellites.